ADD and Treatment

ADD and treatment is usually connected to problems at school, home or work. The psychiatric disorder is difficult for doctors to diagnose and treat.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is the most common name for this psychiatric condition. Mental health experts diagnose ADHD by using SPECT brain scans.

Symptoms of classic ADD include being easily distracted, forgetful, and disorganized. The use of medications such as stimulants and antidepressants can aid in overcoming.


Limbic ADD

The most common form of ADD, also known as classic ADD or hyperactive-impulsive ADD, is characterized by inattention, a lack of organizational skills, difficulty staying on task, and trouble with memory. The scans of the brain show that people suffering from this type can maintain normal activity during concentration and at rest in the prefrontal cortex however, they have less activity in their cerebellum as well as the basal ganglia. These areas help produce dopamine, the neurotransmitter that is responsible for motivation, tranquility and focus. People with this type have a hard in shifting their focus and are easily distracted by distractions and noises, and have shorter attention spans. They also have trouble falling asleep and often wake up in the middle of the night with anxiety or nightmares. They can be easily annoyed and often get angry.

People suffering from Ring of Fire ADD have all the symptoms of classic ADD, but they also struggle to shift their attention from thought to thought and from task to task. They are sensitive to light, noise and even touch. They talk too quickly and are impulsive. They experience periods of depression and fatigue, are quick to get angry and can get stuck in negative thoughts and guilty feelings.

It is possible to mistake the condition of limbic ADD with depression. However, it is different in that it boosts activity in the limbic part of the brain when it is at time of rest and during concentration. It can be treated by supplements like L tryptophan (5-HTP) along with saffron, inositol, which improve alertness, mood and mental clarity. Amino acid GABA can also help reduce neural activity and prevent nerve cells from firing erratically or too frequently.

It is essential to distinguish between ADD and mood disorders like Bipolar Disorder which can also cause irritability and frustration and low self-esteem. The distinction between ADD with Limbic Symptoms and Bipolar Disorder is that ADD is more consistent in its level of irritability that lasts over time. Bipolar Disorder tends to exhibit symptoms that appear in waves.

Overfocused ADD

Overfocused ADD sufferers often get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors that cause excessive worry. This is because they exhibit rigid behaviors similar to people suffering from Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). They may become emotional when they are asked to switch their attention between activities and may respond with oppositional or argumentative behavior.

They are prone to having a short fuse, with their irritability coming from a chronic depression or low-grade sadness "glass half-empty syndrome," and frequent feelings of hopelessness and a sense of worthlessness. They may also struggle with memory issues, experience extreme anger, and have a short fuse.

People with hyperfocused ADD can be rigid when it comes switching tasks and can become absorbed in their work or hobby. They might forget appointments and deadlines at home or at work and may not finish their homework or chores. They could also be stubborn and resentful when they are disapproved of by their parents or teachers.

Children with overfocused ADD are often angry and stubborn, and can throw temper tantrums if their interests aren't respected. They may be obsessed with particular activities such as toys and video games. They also have difficulty expressing their feelings, and can be extremely sensitive to rejection or criticism.

This form of ADD is difficult to identify, particularly for children. Children who exhibit this type of behavior may have difficulty understanding the cause of their problems. by an inability to change their focus between tasks. This is the reason it's crucial to seek help from an expert, since children with this type of behavior are more likely to be misdiagnosed by family doctors and even psychologists. This kind of ADD can be treated with nutritional modifications, supplements and cognitive-behavioral therapies. This kind of ADD is extremely difficult to treat even with stimulant medications due to the fact that it can cause hyperactivity. Functional neuroimaging can be used to distinguish between the seven types of ADD. It is particularly helpful in diagnosing overfocused ADD.

Anxious ADD

Many people with ADD experience high levels of anxiety. This co-morbidity (having more than one disorder simultaneously) is common, impacting about half of people with ADD/ADHD. Stress and anxiety can resemble the symptoms of ADD/ADHD and misdiagnosis can lead to improper treatment and further frustration.

Anxious ADD can cause issues at school, at work or in social situations. This type of ADD can cause under-performance and feelings of unworthiness. People with anxious ADD avoid challenging tasks or events because they fear that they won't be successful.

They also fear being judged or considered a victim. They also hide their issues from others. treatments for adhd can become so anxious and stressed that they experience panic attacks. These can be very life-threatening and cause sweating, a pounding heart and breathing difficulties. In contrast to Classic ADD, those with Anxious ADD have increased activity in their basal ganglia and the amygdala. They operate on an instinctual basis and prioritize safety. This can shut down the PFC which makes it difficult for those with this condition to focus.

When a person has anxiety and ADD/ADHD and anxiety, the symptoms they experience are more difficult to manage. This is due to treatment programs for ADD/ADHD, that are designed to stimulate brain activity, can increase anxiety in people who have anxious ADD.

Amen Clinic psychiatrists utilize functional neuroimaging, such as SPECT scans to identify the areas of the brain where low and/or higher levels of activity are occurring. This helps them differentiate between the seven types of brain and determine the best method of treatment.

A psychiatrist will gather an entire medical record and conduct a physical exam to determine if the patient suffers from ADHD or ADD. The doctor may also ask about mood and behavior to evaluate the patient's overall performance. Sometimes, medications are used to treat the symptoms of ADD/ADHD. However, in the majority of cases, patients require other treatments, like cognitive behavior therapy and exercise, nutrition sleep strategies, desensitization and sleep strategies. This may increase their ability to manage their emotions and improve their overall function.

Temporal Lobe ADD

This type of ADD is a problem with the brain's temporal lobe which is responsible for memory and mood. People with this type of ADD struggle to retain and learn and experience mood swings and suffer from severe anger or aggression issues. They also often suffer from various sensory issues, such as experiencing a sense of deja vu or experiencing shadows or objects changing shapes and hearing sounds that other people can't hear. They tend to be sensitive and angry and are often overwhelmed by certain things, such as computer screens or crowds.

This type of ADD has similar symptoms to Classic ADD. These include inattention spans that are short and disorganized. It also has difficulties staying focused or following directions. However, this kind of ADD doesn't cause hyperactivity or impulsivity. This type of ADD is more common in women. This kind of ADD is defined by the low levels of dopamine in the brain, which can lead to feelings of depression or a lack of self-regulation. Symptoms can include trouble sleeping and feelings of irritability or anxiety.

In this instance brain mapping scans using qEEG of the brain show that people with Over-focused ADD have normal activity in their anterior cingulate gyrus which is the brain's "gear shifter," but they are struggling to shift gears. They can't move from one thought or task to another and get stuck in negative thoughts and behaviors.

This is a type of ADD where individuals can be extremely motivated and hardworking but they also tend to get easily distracted by unimportant or non-essential tasks. They can get lost and feel embarrassed or exhausted because of their behavior. They may have a difficult relationship because they can be unpredictable or reactive and have a hard time dealing with multitasking or working with other people. In some cases, they can experience anxiety or depression. They can be prone to panic attacks and susceptible to hallucinations. Medications for this type of ADD are not recommended since they don't address the underlying cause of symptoms.